Comprehensive, Multi-year Farm Bill Completion Urged

MEMPHIS -- The National Cotton Council (NCC) is urging leaders of the House and Senate agriculture committees to work expeditiously to resolve the differences between their respective farm bills so that Congress can take final action and the President can sign the legislation.

"Timely enactment of new farm legislation is critically important for production agriculture and especially for the U.S. cotton industry," stated NCC Chairman Jimmy Dodson, a cotton producer from Robstown, Texas."Building on the hard work done under the leadership of Chairman Lucas, Chairwoman Stabenow, and their respective ranking members, Representative Peterson and Senator Cochran, we strongly urge that work to resolve the differences in the two bills begin immediately. When members return in September, a formal conference committee can be convened and remaining differences can be resolved in a timely manner. Enactment of a multi-year farm bill in early fall is imperative for upland cotton's Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) to be made available by RMA for the 2014 crop of cotton and for the new legislation to serve as the basis for a final resolution of the cotton portion of the longstanding WTO Brazil case."

Dodson added, "We are very fortunate to have outstanding leaders on both committees who, if allowed, can reach a balanced and budget responsible agreement."